Workplace fatalities that occur at a road construction site typically account for 1.5% to 3% of all workplace fatalities annually.

Fatality Trends: Roadway construction worker fatalities reached a high point in 2005 with 165 fatalities. Between 2005 and 2008 the numbers declined, then rose slightly in 2009, and declined again in 2010.

Roadway Construction Worker Fatalities Between Years 2005-2010

Year

# of fatalities

% change from prior year

% change from 2005

2010

106

−9%

−36%

2009

116

+15%

−30%

2008

101

−5%

−39%

2007

106

−24%

−36%

2006

139

−16%

−16%

2005

165

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Fatality Causes: The primary causes of worker fatalities in recent years were:

Runovers/backovers (often by dump trucks): 48%

Collision Between Vehicles/Mobile Equipment: 14%

Caught in Between/Struck by Construction Equipment and Objects: 14%

Runovers/Backovers: Nearly half of worker fatalities are caused when workers are run over or backed over by vehicles or mobile equipment. More than half of these fatalities were workers struck by construction vehicles.

Between 2005 and 2010 runovers/backovers were the cause of an average of 48% of worker fatalities. In 2010 runovers/backovers were the cause of 43% of worker fatalities, a slight decline from 2009 (46%).

For these types of fatalities, between 2003 and 2007, more workers were struck and killed by construction vehicles (38%) than by cars, vans, and tractor-trailers (33%).

Vehicle Collisions: The second most common cause of worker fatalities are collisions between vehicles/mobile equipment.

Between 2005 and 2010 this was the cause of an average of 14% of worker fatalities each year. In 2010 this was the cause of 19% of worker fatalities. This is a slight increase from 2009 (16%).

Caught in Between or Struck by Object: The third most common cause of worker fatalities are workers caught between or struck by construction equipment and objects.

Between 2005 and 2010 this was the cause of an average of 14% of worker fatalities. In 2010 this was the cause of 8% of worker fatalities. This is a decline from 2009 (16%) and the lowest reported number in recent years.

The attorneys at Curran & Desharnais, P.C. hope for your safety. But if you find yourself in a situation where you require legal representation, contact us. We provide experienced representation for people who have been injured in accidents throughout Massachusetts & the Greater Boston area.

Call the Greater Boston Personal Injury Attorneys at the Law Office of Curran & Desharnais, P.C. Today at 781-618-3197 or 1-888-682-9194 or email Attorney Curran directly at jkcurran@verizon.net.